What is the most sought after square body?
The square body is a highly coveted design for classic Chevrolet and GMC trucks, particularly those produced from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. These rugged, boxy trucks have become increasingly popular among enthusiasts and collectors, making them one of the most sought-after vehicles in the classic car market.
What is a Square Body Truck?
The square body designation refers to the distinctive, angular design of Chevrolet and GMC trucks produced from 1973 to 1987. These trucks featured a squared-off, boxy appearance that was a departure from the more rounded, aerodynamic designs that had come before. The square body design was not only visually striking but also provided increased interior space and improved functionality for work and recreational use.
Why are Square Body Trucks So Popular?
There are several reasons why square body trucks have become so sought-after by enthusiasts and collectors:
- Timeless Design: The square body's bold, angular styling has aged remarkably well, giving these trucks a timeless, classic look that appeals to many enthusiasts.
- Durability and Reliability: Square body trucks were built to last, with rugged construction and reliable engines that have stood the test of time. Many of these trucks are still on the road today, testament to their enduring quality.
- Customization Potential: The square body's simple, straightforward design makes it an excellent platform for customization, allowing owners to personalize their trucks with a wide range of aftermarket parts and accessories.
- Nostalgia and Collectability: For many enthusiasts, square body trucks evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminding them of their childhood or the trucks their parents or grandparents owned. This emotional connection, combined with the trucks' increasing rarity, has made them highly collectible.
As a result of these factors, square body trucks have become increasingly sought-after, with prices for well-maintained and restored examples continuing to rise in the classic car market.
The Most Coveted Square Body Models
While all square body trucks are highly desirable, certain models and variants are particularly prized by enthusiasts:
- Chevrolet C/K 1500: The half-ton C/K 1500 is often considered the quintessential square body truck, with its classic styling and widespread availability.
- Chevrolet C/K 1500 Silverado: The Silverado trim package, introduced in 1975, added a higher level of luxury and refinement to the square body design.
- Chevrolet C/K 1500 Cheyenne: The Cheyenne trim package, available from 1973 to 1987, offered a more premium interior and additional features compared to the base model.
- GMC Sierra: The GMC Sierra, the upscale counterpart to the Chevrolet C/K series, is also highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Regardless of the specific model, square body trucks have become a true icon of American automotive design, capturing the hearts and imaginations of enthusiasts around the world.
What is the best square body Chevy?
The "best" square body Chevy depends on individual priorities, but the 1973-1987 C/K series is the overall winner due to its long production run, which resulted in a vast number of trucks and parts available for restoration or modification. Some enthusiasts favor certain years like the 1978 K10 for its classic 4x4 features, while others prefer the more updated 1987 models for being the final year of the generation.
This video explains why the 1974 C10 is considered an iconic square body truck: 40sDriving LineYouTube · Oct 2, 2024
Factors to consider when choosing the best year
- Classic style and reliability: The 1973-1987 Chevrolet C/K series is a classic for its bold, angular design and durable construction.
- 4x4 capability: The 1978 Chevrolet K10 is a particularly popular and reliable 4x4 model, known for its ruggedness and versatility.
- Modern updates: The 1987 model year represents the end of the square body era and may be more desirable for those looking for a later-generation truck with potentially more modern features.
- Engine options: The square body trucks came with a variety of engines, from inline-sixes to V8s. Some popular choices include the 350 cubic inch V8 or the larger 454 cubic inch V8.
- Parts availability: Due to their long production run, there are abundant OEM and aftermarket parts available for the 1973-1987 models, making them easier and more affordable to restore and modify.
Why are Chevy SS so rare?
Chevy SS sedans are rare because they were only produced for a short four-year run (2014–2017) with low production numbers, partly due to a lack of marketing and poor sales figures that were only about 3,000 per year. The car was imported from Australia as a Holden Commodore and its production was ultimately limited by the closure of the Holden plant, according to Quora.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Chevy SS's design and why it was considered a sleeper sedan: 31sAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · Jul 2, 2025
- Limited production: The car was only produced for four model years, ending after 2017, which inherently limits the total number of vehicles available.
- Low sales and poor marketing: Despite being a high-performance sedan with a V8 engine, sales were lackluster, partly because Chevrolet did not heavily market the car.
- Imported from Australia: The Chevy SS was an imported Holden Commodore, and its production run was tied to the Australian Holden plant, which GM later shuttered.
- Short lifespan: The vehicle was essentially a stop-gap model to honor a prior deal to import sedans from Holden after the Pontiac G8 was canceled, and there was no plan for a long-term replacement.
What is the most sought after muscle car?
The most sought-after muscle cars are consistently the 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6, and 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. Other highly desirable models include the 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Convertible, 1965 Shelby GT350, and 1970 Dodge Challenger 426 Hemi. These vehicles are highly prized for their performance, rarity, and cultural impact.
Top sought-after muscle cars
- 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda: Often called the purest form of muscle car, the Hemi 'Cuda is one of the most valuable classic muscle cars in history, with pristine examples fetching millions at auction.
- 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: An extremely rare and high-performance variant of the Camaro, the ZL1 was built with an all-aluminum 427 engine and was a special-order model, making it a coveted collector's item.
- 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6: This model is consistently cited as one of the most coveted muscle cars due to its powerful big-block engine and high performance.
- 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona: Known for its unique aerodynamic features and a powerful Hemi engine, this car is highly desirable for its rarity and distinctive racing-inspired styling.
- 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Convertible: This is considered the "holy grail" of muscle car collecting due to its extreme rarity.
- 1965 Shelby GT350: A legendary performance variant of the Mustang, the Shelby GT350 is highly sought after by collectors.
- 1970 Dodge Challenger 426 Hemi: This model is among the most coveted muscle cars, especially with its legendary 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8 engine.
- 1968 Dodge Charger R/T: Praised for its iconic design and powerful 426 Hemi engine, this model is considered a benchmark in muscle car history.
- 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1: With its "Cobra Jet" V8 engine, this model was a high-performance icon of the late 1960s and is still popular with collectors today.
- 1969 Pontiac GTO "The Judge": The Judge is one of the most sought-after versions of the Pontiac GTO, a car that many credit with originating the muscle car concept.
Is GM really making a $8000 truck?
No, GM is not making an $8,000 pickup truck; this is a false rumor likely originating from clickbait videos. GM's smallest truck, the Chevrolet Montana, is sold only in South America, and its price would be significantly higher than $8,000 in the U.S. even if it were imported.
This video discusses the GM $8,000 pickup rumor and its potential impact on the market: 58sGarage HeadsYouTube · Jun 1, 2024
- False rumor: The idea of an $8,000 pickup truck is a marketing tactic that has spread through sensationalist videos and online posts, often misattributing the claim to GM or Ford.
- Chevrolet Montana: GM does sell a small truck called the Chevrolet Montana, but it is designed for the South American market and is not sold in the United States.
- Pricing in the US: Even if the Montana were available in the US, its price would be much higher than $8,000 due to import taxes and other market factors.
- Actual GM trucks: GM's current trucks, such as the Chevrolet Silverado, have starting prices far above this amount, with prices ranging from roughly $30,000 to over $80,000 depending on the model and features.
